Need a handhold - panicking about loss of smell

[whereisthejoy]

Please please someone comfort me about my loss of smell. Was exposed to covid two weeks ago and symptoms (very mild) began on Friday 2nd Oct. I started feeling better each day but last Friday (a week in since symptoms) realised I couldn't smell. I can taste but a bit dulled down I guess due to smell.

So it's four days no smell and I have a young child who also got it but can't tell really if her smell is affected. I think and hope that it isn't. my DH also had it and he can't smell either. I'm a worst case scenario thinker and I'm panicked beyond belief at not getting it back, especially as smell can alert to danger (off food, or worse) and I have a DC to protect.

I've been through a lot of shit in my life but facing these days without that sense is crushing, I just don't know how to pull myself out of this.

Can anyone help or give me hope that this won't be gone forever?

Sorry to beg

@Sweetnhappy1 wow that video changed my life! Been properly down and stressed and I literally punched the air watching it. Just got to be patient. Thank you 🙏🏼

@whereisthejoy How are you today? I'm day 6/7 of no smell & taste and I'm starting to get the tiniest hint of a return! 💪🏼💪🏼

Thought I could taste a custard cream last night so had to have 6 more to test it! Not with every bite, but definitely some taste there. And I've just sprayed my perfume this morning - and I could smell it! Not strongly, but just the fact I could smell it even a tiny bit has made me so happy! Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼🤞🏼

I had a cold back in late December (so wasn't Covid!) and I lost my sense of taste and smell for almost 3 weeks. Even after the cold was well gone.

Coffee was just hot liquid. Curry was just slop. Whisky just tingled my mouth. It was so depressing. I am not a doctor frequenter but I went as i was so miserable and worried. He looked bemused and just said it's a common cold symptom and sent me on my way. It came back bit by bit over the final week.

Point is. You can lose taste and smell with a cold.

@FlippinNoah so much better after watching the video @Sweetnhappy1 posted don't think I can smell anything yet but I'm lucky to have not lost taste at all. So pleased to hear your update! 💫

I've lived my whole life with a poor sense of smell, it was almost non-existent as a child. I meet a few people like me. We get confused about people who find it stressful.

Handhold thread only please @lljkk

Until corona arrived I never realised that sense of smell was important to anyone. Right now my eyes are smarting from chlorine smell because I just went swimming. I can feel smells more thru my eyes than my nose often, so my eyes are unhappy until I get a distraction.

tbf, I probably care about some things that many other people would declare are utterly banal or trivial.

I've had a weird sensation in my nose this afternoon, a bit like breathing in the water at the swimming pool.

This is day 5 and I've started to smell little hints, like the cats biscuits which DH says stink but they just smell like a hint of cat biscuit to me. Keeping my fingers crossed that taste come back soon too.

Can I ask those who lost smell, was it complete?
I woke up on Tuesday with a splitting headache which remains. Then dry cough and very sore throat. No mucus, cough is dry.

Thought it was a cold but woken up the morning and I have almost no smell. My taste is very flat as well

Is it a total smell loss? I cant smell coffee other than the lightest hint (which may be memory). I cant smell the dog. I can smell bleach! I can smell oregano a bit. I cant smell my perfume.

For me, it was total and almost instant. Fine one minute then as if a switch was flicked.

@TolstoyAteMyHamster

For me, it was total and almost instant. Fine one minute then as if a switch was flicked.

Thanks

Trying to work out if I should book a test or if I am being neurotic

@TolstoyAteMyHamster

For me, it was total and almost instant. Fine one minute then as if a switch was flicked.

Same here

You should get a test. For the cough alone. Given how weirdly this virus presents and the differences people experience in terms of symptoms I don’t think you should go on the basis of your loss of taste/smell being different to other people’s.

@BathtubGin it does sound like possible covid def get the test.

Day 7 for me since loss of smell - BUT... I am certain I can smell the faintest hint of my perfume today. I haven't used it for months but am sure I can smell the faintest sweetness.

Bought an olbas stick which I would recommend as after days of smelling zilch, the menthol definitely gets through and it smells minty.

I also got some fresh basil and mint in my tesco delivery this morning and I swear I could smell the basil tonight!! Not strongly though. But this gives me a lot of hope.

@whereisthejoy I'm glad it helped

@BathtubGin please book a test. The criteria is 'change in taste or smell', you definitely have this and would not be wasting a test.

@whereisthejoy Good news on your update! Return of smell & taste is slow to progress but is definitely happening ☺️

Just want to update that I have my senses back hope others are doing well. My DH hasn't got his back which is upsetting me but it's been around 10 days now so hopefully within the next week.